It snowed here in Connecticut yesterday. Not a lot but enough to make the morning commute miserable for many. I was thankful to get to work just as the snow began to fall. I have recently decided that one of the challenges with living here is that it gets cold in the winter but often times there is not much snow(last year excluded). If it is going to be cold I would prefer the world be covered with the white stuff. Plus I just love the quietness that falls over the world when the snow falls. I can almost hear the hush now.
At the end of my work day I went to the farm to pick up this weeks share. It was so picturesque I stopped to snap a couple of photo’s with my phone. You practically need to shield your eyes the sun is shining so brighter.
According to dictionary.com gratitude is defined as agratefulfeelingoracknowledgmentofabenefit,favor,orthelike,expressedbywordsorotherwise. This week those of us in the US celebrated the holiday of Thanksgiving, the origins of which date back to the time of the early settlers. After months of hardship and loss those early English transplants gave thanks to their Creator for the blessings bestowed upon them. Pausing daily to reflect upon the things I am thankful to God for is my opportunity to see his hand in the small things of life. My list this week, in no particular order of importance:
Family. The fact that we all like one another and enjoy spending time together is reason to give thanks—not all families can make this same claim.
Music. Fills the air with sound.
The smell of dinner simmering on the stove top on a cool fall evening.
My husband. The perfect mate. A man who loves me no matter what. A man who’s company I enjoy.
Books. Print, audible, digital doesn’t matter. The words flowing across the page creating a story. Amazing images with words.
A good beer. Yep that’s right-beer is on my list. I enjoy experiencing the different flavors that can be used to enhance a beer.
The new farm that I have bought shares of. I am so thankful for the hard work of the individuals who farm the organic produce that I have the privilege purchase.
Walking in the woods with my husband and dog. Enjoying the peace that a late fall day brings as the footstep crunches the leaves below the boot.
The smell of fresh linen on the bed as I climb beneath the sheets at the end of a long day.
I hope that you take a few minutes of your day/week to celebrate the perfect gifts you have received from the hands of the Creator.
There is much to be thankful for and I am finding JOY in thinking back across the day/week to discover that special something I found delight in.
* On Saturday I spent the entire day at home. Yep, that’s right never left once and it was simply wonderful. I am thankful that I was able to be accomplished and enjoy the warmth and peace I can only find in my most special place, home.
* Sunday brought much to give thanks for. My dad treated me and my favorite guy to the play “Wicked” and dinner. What a fabulous day. Time with special people in a venue that is beautiful. It is difficult not to be thankful for the talent that adorns the stage from actors, musicians, to costume makers.
* As the new work week began I was thankful for a job that I enjoy and the opportunity to help so many hurting people. I also am thankful for the commuter van that dropped and picked me up at the door in the rainy weather.
* Tuesday left me feel especially thankful for some of the professional relationships I have built over these past few years. It is because of these relationships that I am able to call upon people to lend a hand in unique situations where without that special touch a patient in need would go without.
* The beauty of the day. Sun shining, blue sky, crisp air. Birds flying to and fro in search of vittles. A couple of magnificent photo’s on FB of bald eagles right here in my backyard(well practically). I wish I had time this weekend to go out looking for the majestic birds myself.
* Thankful Thursday. Grateful that my son will soon be home for the Thanksgiving holiday. While I am not a cold weather fan I found myself giving thanks for the changing seasons in weather and life.
* So Thankful to have spent the evening at a ladies retreat where we worshiped, prayed, listened and enjoyed special treats. God’s presence was palpable in the room as we sang about His love for us. I am including a You tube link of the song performed by Jesus Culture singing of His love for Us. I hope you take the eight and half minutes to listen to this song—His love can change your life.
Last May right around the time that I vanished from blogosphere I went with my guy to a digital photography “class” sponsored by the Appalachian Mountain Club. If you haven’t attended one of AMC’s programs I can highly recommend it as a good value and beauty in the setting. We spent 3 glorious days hiking the Delaware Water Gap, camera in hand, then would huddle up in the lodge after a tasty meal for some educational time with a semi-professional photographer. At the end of the program each participant went home with one photo enlarged to 11×15 taken by “you” and then edited to your preferences. The photo of the pine tree is the one I selected for editing and enlarging(done by the instructor with my input).
Appalachian Mountain Club logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
How I long for springtime!
Discovering this idyllic place, we find ourselves filled with a yearning to linger here, where time stands still and beauty overwhelms.
map of the CDP of North Key Largo, Florida showing boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Well I tried to get this post up before I boarded my ship but it wasn’t meant to be. We have returned from our fabulous vacation—we were not on the ship that was disabled for days in the ocean requiring a tow back to port. I will post more photo’s and tales as the weeks progress. In the meantime here is the post I wrote prior to our escape to the sea.
With the crazy weather up north we left CT a day earlier than expected. We decided to rent a car and drive down to Key Largo. Below are a few shots from our first night and then day here. Enjoy. We will be heading off to our ship very shortly.
Here is the northeastern part of the states it has been very cold, frigid even. Temperatures have dropped to single digits overnight, “warming” to the teens during the day. I don’t know about you but in weather like this I don’t want to make any more trips out than absolutely necessary. Hubby and I have spent our evenings enjoying the under the warmth of a cozy, fleece lined blanket, sipping herbal tea and reading.
So what is your preferred way to pass the time on long, cold winter nights?
I was looking through some of the photo’s I took on a March hike when I spied this one. I hadn’t noticed the way the sun cast rays upon the water reflecting a pinkish-purple. The still barren branches of the tree and the mist rolling in behind all create quite a nice scene.
These 3 photo’s were taken a few minutes apart on that same hike in March. The coastal mist rolled in and out literally before my eyes.
The Authentic Me 